November 20, 2023

Title:  FALSE STARTS

Constructors: Jess Shulman & Nate Cardin

Editor: Amanda Rafkin

Theme Answers:
BULL TERRIER (20A: The Target dog or Spuds MacKenzie, e.g.)
WHOPPER JUNIOR (42A: Burger King's smaller signature burger)
LIE DOWN ON THE JOB (51A: Shirk one's responsibilities)

Theme synopsis: Each theme answer STARTS with a synonym for a FALSE statement: BULL, WHOPPER, LIE.

Things I learned:
  • TOFU (31D: Chanpuru ingredient) Chanpurū is a stir fry dish that originated in Japan and is considered representative of Okinawan cuisine. TOFU is the main ingredient of chanpurū, which is combined with some kind of vegetable, meat (sometimes even Spam), or fish. The word "chanpurū" is Okinawan for "something mixed."
Random thoughts and interesting things:
  • BARES (5A: "Broadway ___" (minimally clothed fundraising event for those living with HIV/AIDS)) Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS is a nonprofit organization that has organized the theater community's response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic since 1988. If you have ever attended a Broadway show (on Broadway or a touring production) in late October, November, or December, you may be familiar with the red buckets that cast members use to collect funds for Broadway Cares after the show. The organization also hosts several other fundraising events, including Broadway BARES, an annual burlesque show fundraiser held in June at Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City. Each year, the show has a theme; this year's was Broadway BARES: Pleasure Parks. Broadway BARES has raised more than $22 million dollars to date.
  • BULL TERRIER (20A: The Target dog or Spuds MacKenzie, e.g.) The  official mascot of Target is a white BULL TERRIER named Bullseye. Target's red bullseye logo is painted around the dog's left eye when it is working as the mascot. Fun fact: The original Target dog debuted in a 1999 commercial, and was a BULL TERRIER named Kingsmere Moondoggie, aka "Smudgie." Smudgie was an American Kennel Club Champion.  Spuds Mackenzie is a BULL TERRIER that was used in Bud Light commercials in the late 1980s. The Anheuser Busch company stopped using Spuds MacKenzie in ads after pushback that claimed the company was making alcohol consumption appealing to children. Fun fact: The "ghost of Spuds MacKenzie" made an appearance in the Bud Light Super Bowl commercial in 2017.
  • PETRI (26A: ___ dish (bio lab container)) A PETRI dish is a shallow lidded dish that is used to culture cells in biology labs. The bottom of a PETRI dish is often coated with a growth medium such as agar. The PETRI dish is named after a German bacteriologist, Julius Richard PETRI. The scientist in me liked seeing this answer. In my graduate school days I cultured many, many cells in PETRI dishes.
  • ERNEST (29A: Fitting name for a sincere person) and APT (13D: Like the name Herb, for a gardener) I liked this APT and fitting pair of clues/answers referencing the names Herb and ERNEST.
  • TOP HAT (31A: Accessory for Mr. Peanut and Mr. Monopoly) Mr. Peanut is the TOP HAT-wearing, monocled mascot of  Planters. He made his first appearance in 1916. Mr. Monopoly, aka Milburn Pennybags, is the TOP HAT-wearing (but non-monocled) mascot of the Monopoly board game. 
  • ARI (32A: NPR journalist Shapiro) ARI Shapiro has been one of the hosts of NPR's All Things Considered since 2015.
  • BALL (5D: Lucille who played Lucy) Lucille BALL (1911-1989) played the title character of the TV sitcom, I Love Lucy, from 1951-1957. She also portrayed characters named Lucy in The Lucy Show (1962-1968) and Here's Lucy (1968-1974). 
  • ROVER (7D: Vehicle on Mars) NASA's current Mars ROVER, Perseverance, is currently parked for a couple of weeks to wait out solar conjunction (when the Sun passes between Earth and Mars, blocking signals).
  • EVERY (8D: "Lift ___ Voice and Sing") I have previously written about the song, "Lift EVERY Voice and Sing," which has been referred to as the Black National Anthem by NAACP.
  • ION (12D: Lithium-___ battery) Lithium-ION batteries are a type of rechargeable batteries. The invention and commercialization of lithium-ION batteries has had tremendous impacts on technology and e-mobility (electric vehicles). The importance of the development of lithium-ION batteries was recognized by the 2019 Nobel Prize in Chemistry.
  • MOJO (35D: ___ dojo casa house) "MOJO dojo casa house" is a line from the 2023 movie Barbie. It's the name Ken gives to Barbie's dream house when he takes it over.
  • NOAH (44D: "Stranger Things" star Schnapp) Stranger Things is a Netflix TV series about a small town dealing with a hostile alternate dimension. I have previously written about Eleven, a young girl with psychokinetic abilities, who is portrayed by Millie Bobby Brown. I have also written about the Byers family, brothers Will and Jonathan, and their mother Joyce. NOAH Schnapp plays the role of Will Byers.
  • OWNER (49D: Pet's "parent") As you probably know if you've read my blog before,
    A woman and a calico cat snuggling together.
    Willow and me

    I am a cat parent. I am Willow's OWNER, as much as any cat can have an OWNER. This is a great opportunity to remind you that whether you are a reader of the blog or a constructor, I would be happy to feature your pet on the blog! You'll find the details at the bottom of the CATS+ page. Although cats get top billing (Willow insists!), I love all pets.
  • NORA (54D: Rom-com queen Ephron) Director, writer, and producer NORA Ephron (1941-2012) was involved in the making of many of my favorite rom-coms, including When Harry Met Sally (1989), You've Got Mail (1998), and Julie & Julia (2009).

     Geography review:

    • ASIA (10A: Nepal's continent) Nepal is a landlocked country in South ASIA. The capital of Nepal is Kathmandu. ASIA is a word we see frequently in the puzzles. In fact, it has come second to ERIE for most appearances in my first three years of blogging. That being said, we've been in a tiny bit of an ASIA drought. Although we saw ASIA three times in September, the last time was on September 4, and we haven't seen it since. It's nice to see you again, crossword-friend ASIA. (Just a reminder that the only thing this information means is that I am fond of data.)
    Can we talk about this delightful grid design? This puzzle has left-right mirror symmetry. As I've noted before, this type of symmetry often results in the grid having a shape I refer to as "boots and antennas." This grid leans into that even more, and uses the black squares in the center to make a face. This made me smile! No FALSE STARTS here, except in the theme. Thank you, Jess and Nate, for this puzzle that was a marvelous way to start my Monday.



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